The CBC and the majority of main stream news outlets. Seem to be shocked by Vic Toews announcement, that Canada’s oldest prison in Kingston Ontario (been open for 177 years) and Leclerc medium security prison. Will be closed within the next two years.
Why would this government close these prisons in a time that we have seen them push a 9 billion dollar investment into new prisons and renovations. New laws that will create increased prison population, and are still in the midst of “economic hard times”?
This is a crisis in the making.
Just before the Penetanguishene prison on Ontario was privatized in a short lived (5 years) private prison program. The prison was severely overpopulated, violence was rampant, and it was an overall bad situation. The guards where continually put into dangerous situations, and had become fed up. This is when Robert Sampson, at the time the Tory correctional services minister brought the idea of privatization to the table. (problem, reaction, solution)
We are now seeing this very same Hegelian dialect but on a nation level. Longer sentencing for smaller crimes, and fewer prisons will mean overcrowding of jails and prisons. Violence rates will climb and the guards will be put into danger.
Once again Robert Sampson will be right there. He lead a federal panel reviewing Canada’s prison system, for the Torie government in recent years.
We can see the puzzle pieces of privatized prison coming to Canada very clearly. Between the massive increase of funding, new laws to increase inmate population (Penetanguishene failed because there was not enough inmates to make a profit), and the American Koch brothers (heavily invested in the private prison system in America) lobbying the Harper government.
Unless Canadians make it loud and clear that private prisons are unacceptable. We will see them here very soon.
I should also add an additional comment. There are very very likely far more persons in prison that should not be there. Dangerous offenders. Fine. Others? Why are they in prison? To learn how to be greater law breakers? How does being in prison help them or us?
I see a contradiction in this article. First it is said:
Just before the Penetanguishene prison on Ontario was privatized in a short lived (5 years) private prison program. The prison was severely overpopulated, violence was rampant, and it was an overall bad situation. The guards where continually put into dangerous situations, and had become fed up.
Then it says:
We can see the puzzle pieces of privatized prison coming to Canada very clearly. Between the massive increase of funding, new laws to increase inmate population (Penetanguishene failed because there was not enough inmates to make a profit),
So what is it? Either it was severely over crowded or it wasn’t!
I was involved in the prison farm closer protest in Kingston. In and of itself this closer was sad. Not only did it take away a real source of food for our prisons (ie:Beef, milk,chickens and eggs.) it truly did help teach hardened criminals the responsibility of a decent work ethic, combined with compassion. (Repairing machinery,heiping the Vet birthing calves,healing the sick or wounded animals. These guys truly did care about the livestock they had to tend for! How do I know? I have personally hired one such ex-con who confessed to me that he seen the protests from the inside at the time it was happening. He turned out to be one of the best and most trusted employees I have ever hired.
This being said. I knew the true motivation from day one! This article explains it to a ‘T’.sic.
The new “Super Prisons” will not only wharehouse non-criminals with criminals they will guarantee profit for private and losses for you and I (John Q Public)! Contrary to the Geneva convention they will be double or triple bunking so called inmates for long periods of time.’ Try this at home folks!
Terry Wilson your article is spot on.
Private prisons in the US trade their stock on the stock market the value is determined by the number of prisoners they have. So here we have a corporation and shareholders making money off of people in jail. So now they have people being put into jail for trumped up charges. This is a sickening situation and MUST be prevented from happening here in Canada.